Blogs

As incredible as it might seem at this time, I was a lifeguard at the Mulberry City pool here in Fort Collins
for 5 years after I retired from Campus Ministry at CSU. I had been swimming there for some years
when the manager asked me if I would be interested in guarding during the day for one day a week. I
became certified and had a wonderful experience.
One technique that is used in life saving is to approach a person in distress from the rear and out of

As we begin the new year, I encourage you to consider reading upon an issue that affects us all.
Six new Books centering on the struggles in Israel and Palestine for peace have been added to our
Library and are available to be checked out. The titles of these books are:

• Understanding the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict by Phyllis Bennis
• Witnessing for Peace by Munib Younan
• Occupied with Nonviolence by Jean Zaru
• And Christians and a Land Called Holy by Charles Lutz and Robert Smith

Almost every Sunday we publicly proclaim in our Creed that we believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Of these three persons of the Holy Trinity we tend to overlook the work of the Holy Spirit, which is most unfortunate. The function of the Holy Spirit is paramount in our faith experience.

"Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." (Isaiah 40:4-5)

These familiar words from Isaiah speak about the power and presence of God to transform you and me, to transform all life as we know it. EVERYTHING is gathered into this new relationship. No part of creation is left out. And the Advent/Christmas message is simple:

God’s action in this world through Jesus Christ changes everything.

How we long for peace – peace in our lives – peace in our homes – peace in our church – peace in our
country - peace in our world.
The late Dr. Joseph Sittler, one of our Lutheran Church’s renowned theologians, writes of two dimensions
of peace. On the one hand peace is a most desirable personal state of well-being. It is ‘rest’ from the turmoil
of personal living in a turbulent society and conflicted world. In this sense ‘peace’ is a gift from God

It was a difficult weekend. Jim Rasmussen who has been the pastor at Trinity, passed
away. The congregation not to mention his family was caught completely off-guard. Please put
their congregation in your prayers.
I had the privilege of proclaiming the promise of Christ Jesus in the midst of this crisis .
Due to the short-term circumstance of his passing (he died Friday night), and being the only ELCA
congregation with 2 pastors, I was asked to help the congregation through this difficult time.